New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-03
FOR THE INSANE.
A pRESENTMENT BY THE GRAND JURY

bRrrER FOOD AND QUARTERS ASKED FOR WOMEN
PATIENTS on BLACKwELL's ISLAND.
The October Grand Jury, OF which j. q. Mills the
foreman, was discharged yesterday BY Judge Glider
sleeve, after handing in two prssentmsnts.
The longer presentment referred to the
women on BackweIrs Island. Tho Grand Jury paid
visit the asylum October and examined several
Witnesses. Other witnesses were examined at the
Grand Jury ROOM Dr. Macdonald. the medical superin-
tendent OF the city asylums, OF the chief wit
nesses and the Grand Jury. apparently gave his sug
gestions much weight. The Grand Jurors say
made or tho Dep,pent of cha add ORE ction for the
cure the services trained nurss and competent jnni
ssrvos consequently as they shoad be-
me- nen Of STAN Is
n .s Of @ nHt aDPfnT G We
lind that the shed TO the nsans patients while sn
PTssen, i" ep @ f the inmates .aen
rha. the Ss, are ,nai nG s a
:n1@,on ,oMs S. deq%e furnished 10 ary tho
PATENT. after ba,ns method Of .apery.ns the
ssona s ., sIprcse IN e"anins persons
nrs. admitted 10 inc hs IN The OF
IN order to quart ag n,, The The danger TsHs OF Of
dre breaking out n The o%dn oNns to the manner OF
won s aso Of Inc oa q" Estimate ann
Tor the insane females the ensuing so
enable tho supernten ent to carry out those We
Testimony Dr. Macdonald which herewith submitted
SPECIFIC REFORMS RECOMMENDED.
The Grand Jury then suggests that food be fur
nished he obaine the present allowance OF
about eleven and half cents day for each PATENT
that such salaries be paid to junior physicians As VIII
secure competent mon; that at least three women
physicians be appointed to superntond tho examination
bathing and cament OF femae patients; that tho head
attendant in zach warl be trained nurse; that ample
facilities given citizens to visit the institution and
that the doors OF patients rooms be provided with
mechanical locks worked by single lever, for use IN
case OF fire.
ave recommend" the presentment continues, "that
the medical superintendent be empowered to make all
amendments on the medical staff. well as OF
attendants without any interference on the part OF he
Civil Service Board so as TO secure nigher s."husa VI
efficiency in these branches OF the service fhalN tit
the law be changed placing the poor and insane nhder
different commission from that In charge or CRIMINALS,
and the Board OF Charities TO look into the
matter"
The Grand Jury also iuvestig tied the House Of Detcn
ton and examined several OF the witnesses detained
there 1t reports that the House OF Detention Wen
for the institution. The Grand Jurors desire that
sufficient amount shall he appropriated 10 provide
greater accommodations for the detained witnesses
The Grand Jury also passed two resolutions one OF
which reversed the action taken week or t"C ago ny
the same body, recommending hat tne I"'G m MS
tiouers take action 10 remove the trucks stored IN me
streets The resolution adopted YESTERDAY SAYS that as
the Mavor Corporation Counsel District Attorney and
Police commissioners unite in believing that mch nai
Jury advises tho Police Commissioners To use their own
discretion the matter. resolution was also adopted
by the Grand Jury asking the Corporation COnsel TO
prepare and submit the Mayor bill 10 authorize the
6uiiiing OF st.eet railroad from tlftyninth st AMI
renh-sve to Eightv.ffthst Central Park across the
Eighty fth-st transverse road to Fifth-ave To Eighty
eixtb-s and along Eighty sixt-s to connect with an
East Side raj road
WHAT COMMISSIONER PORTER SAID
An official copy Of the Grand Jury prcsentment had
not received tine Department OF Charities ana
Correction late yesterday afternoon AMI the Oy mt
nation which the Commissioners had OF 1t wac conveyed
through the afternoon papers. Commissioner Porter
was In his office when TRIBUNE reporter called anu
talked freely in regard 10 the report. He said:
"A far as | have information at the present time
and the report OF the Grand
blame attached 10 The sdminsrato on OF
institution, and II ~ PLAN from the report that
difficult said To be due To an nrclent APP
ami not to negligence No Importance 70 20
dret diicuies We appeared before the BoArd OF 70
pristion this wee4 and, Joined Dy Dr. Macdonald.
have asked. In the provisional estimates Tor
q larger appropriation for The Bo'rt reshy
gave dollar asked In ms way we can obv
defects COOL Will be PROVIDE
the ale and female departments for the insane we
ATE gOug see, do TO provide efhcent
for all the wards and considering pan
which the OF single crank VII open the
thus afOrdng esress In cases OF
had previously decided 10 appoint seVer
scaDs the recommended OF the jury WI De IN
fee confident that tho desired changes VIII be made as expo
II